U18 Report: Spurs 3-1 Saints

First-half goals from J’Neil Bennett and Harvey White put the hosts in control, before Kornelius Hansen’s effort after the break looked to pave the way for a comeback. However, Dilan Markanday's finish from close range sealed all three points for the home side.

Paul Hardyman’s side headed into the contest looking to make it three successive wins in the Under-18 Premier League, after successes against Brighton and Swansea City.

Spurs, who were looking to extend their impressive 16-game unbeaten run in the league, started brightly in front of the 28,987-crowd and forced Jack Bycroft into an early save when Caleb Watts foul on Markanday presented an opportunity for White to curl a left-footed free-kick at goal.

On 10, Markanday was involved again for the hosts as he cut inside from the right, before sending a cross to the far post, only to see Shashoua head just wide.

But a minute later, they had their first goal their new home when Bennett drifted in off the left, before sending an inch-perfect effort beyond Bycroft.

Buoyed by the opener, Spurs doubled their lead on 21 minutes, when Markanday’s persistence saw him drive into the box along the byline, before pulled down in the box by James Morris, with White stepping up to score from the spot.

At the other end, Hansen was causing problems down the left and he created Saints’ best chance of the first-half. His run saw him reach the byline before setting the ball back to a stretching Benni Smales-Braithwaite, who was denied by a combination of Brooklyn Lyons-Foster and goalkeeper Josh Oluwayemi.

There was a change at the break for the visitors, with Rio Glean withdrawn for Pascal Kpohomouh as Paul Hardyman switched the system to look for a route back into the game.

And just after the hour mark, Hansen halved the deficit when he found space on the edge of the area, before sending a low, right-footed drive beyond Oluwayemi.

Saints continued to press in search of an equaliser and almost had one 15 minutes from time. Kayne Ramsay’s ball into the box was only cleared as far as Jack Turner, who forced Oluwayemi into a fine save at full stretch.

But on 77 minutes, Spurs showed their ruthless streak when White's shot from the edge of the box was spilled by Bycroft, and Markanday followed in to wrap up the points.